Coat or the like



Sept. 27, 1938. A. JONAS com OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 27, 1938. A. JONAS COAT OR THE LIKE 13, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNlTED STATES COAT OR THE LIKE Alexander Jonas, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Joseph Hirsch, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application November 13, 1937, Serial No. 174,435

2 Claims.

This invention relates to upper garments for outer wear.

An important object of the invention is the provision, in an upper garment of this type, for expansion of the back in response to flexing movements of the shoulders of the wearer.

Devices of this type have-been heretofore attempted, being principally exemplified in what is now commonly known to the trade as the biswing garment, in which the back is either pleated or gathered to provide for the expansion. Such construction, however, prevents provision of a smooth-fitting garment, and where pleats are employed these often stand out in an awkward fashion.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a garment which will permit the same freedom of movement on the part of the wearer as the type of garment just described, but which will at all times maintain a smooth-fitting appearance.

An additional object of the invention is the provision in a garment of this character of means for providing ventilation at the back of the garment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a garment of this character which may be cheaply and readily produced and in which the tailoring requirements will not differ materially from those ordinarily used in the construction of such a garment.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention 5 and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a back elevation of a coat embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing the operation of the coat under flexing of the shoulders of the wearer; and

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a slight modification of the construction illustrated.

In accordance with my invention, the garment back ID is provided with a vertically-extending centrally-located split ll extending above and below the transverse line of the arm openings thereof, and preferably having its upper end disposed adjacent the neck of the garment and its lower end adjacent to and slightly above the waist of the garment. This opening is covered by a relatively wide panel l2, the width of the panel being such that when the split is opened through flexing of the shoulders it will fully conceal the same. The panel likewise preferably closely fits the garment back to preserve the form thereof during such flexing movements.

In the construction at present illustrated, the garment back comprises two separate panels I3 connected .by seams l4 above and below the ends of the split. The panel I2 has its upper end connected in the neck and shoulder seams l5 and I6, and at its lower end, which extends well below the lower end of the split, is connected to the back material. This connection is at present shown as concealed by an applied belt i1. As shown, this panel is provided with a lining l8 which, while connected to the edges of the panel, is, intermediate its edges, free from connection therewith, and this panel is connected to the back material at opposite ends of the split, as indicated at l9. Where use of an unlined panel is desired, a tape 2|] is connected between opposite ends of the split, it having been found that this tape, or the lining connections referred to, assists in closing the split through the weight of the'lower portions of the garment.

Constructed in the manner just described, the garment makes ample provision for shoulder movements and, additionally, affords ventilation. At the same time the smooth appearance of the garment is not destroyed, the panel following the contour of the garment and having the appearance of an ornamental seaming rather than that of an attachment.

Since the construction illustrated is, obviously, capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A shoulder-seamed upper garment provided with a neck band, front panels, and a back comprising the usual pair of panels, said panels having meeting edges and being connected by central seaming, said seaming extending from the neck band downwardly for a short distance and from a point adjacent to and slightly above the waist line to the lower end of the garment back thereby providing a central vertical split extending above and below the arm line, and throughout which the vertical edges of the back panels are normally in substantial contact with one another, a panel of greater length and width than the opening having its upper end connected to the neck band and in the shoulder seaming of the garment and its lower end extending to the waist line and secured to the garment back.

2. A shoulder-seamed upper garment provided with a neck band, front panels, and a back comprising the usual pair of panels, said panels having meeting edges and being connected by central seaming, said seaming extending from the neck band downwardly for a short distance and from a point adjacent to and slightly above the waist line to the lower end of the garment back thereby providing a central vertical split extending above and below the arm line, and through- 10 out which the vertical edges of the back panels 

